Griso Pannier Rack Fitting

[kiwijohn]

Hi,

I just received a pannier kit, used, for my Griso. The only instructions I can find are to fit the panniers onto the rack. Does anyone have instructions on fitting the rack to the bike. Its looks straight forward, but it would be good to be sure all the washers, spaces etc are in the right place.

Also, should it have keys? Looks like locks on the inside.

Thanks.

 

[Will]

It's all fairly obvious but check the allen cap screws that fit the rack to the underside of the seat are long enough. As supplied by Guzzi they weren't always! I replaced mine with slightly longer stainless steel ones and used locking washers too. From memory (it was a long time ago I fitted mine) the spacers for the front/lower mounts to the pillion footpegs are different with a longer one on the left. Mine were a bit of a fiddle to get right as the racks almost had to be sprung into place or they don't line up. I had to be careful the bolts didn't cross thread in the holes in the footpeg hangers. There should be keys for the internal locks to fix the panniers to the frame. You could use them unlocked but only the snap clips will be holding them on so not that secure. Have you checked inside the zip pockets inside the panniers....it's where I keep my key!

 

[MrMorrisSD]

Keys are probably in one of the side pockets. That's where mine were, if I recall.

I can't remember if I followed written instructions to the letter, but the installation was pretty straightforward, as you suspect. There's a couple of spacers that need to be used for the lower bolts. The lowers bolt to the inside of the passenger foot-peg brackets. On the left side it also uses the same hole as for the factory pipe.

 

[Saab_96]

Has anyone else noted that the promotional pictures for the panniers, such as on the MG website, show the bags mounted backwards on the rack frames? Just a tip: You want the reflective stripe on the pannier bag to face the rear of the bike. At least that is how I have mine mounted.

FWIW, I think the factory kit is really quite nice and comparable to the Tekno kit I had for my v11. After having this set up I don't think I would like a bike with no bags at all.

P.S. I think a custom pair of chestnut leather bags in a style similar to the V7 "vintage" look bags, would look nice on the Tenni Green 8V SE.

Whats this? They've released a new paint scheme : gray/black. Looks nice too....

 

[MrMorrisSD]

Yep. I definitely noticed that too about the backwards bags. Makes me wonder how that official(?) Guzzi image of the setup persists.

 

[kiwijohn]

Thanks all. I am fitting these now. Could someone please confirm that the 4 silver fixing bolts are replaced with the rack.

Also please confirm which side the longer spacer goes on. I could probably make it go on either side.

 

[Saab_96]

If you mean some silver aluminum bobbins under the seat, yes those were removed. Those are for hooking the accessory tailbag or bungee cords. My dealer installed my racks and I received the bobbins in a bag.

Looking at my 2012 8V, with the racks at the passenger footpegs, I don't see the spacer on the muffler side between the muffler and the rack bracket. The bracket is flush up against it. It goes foot peg bracket - muffler tang- rack bracket.

On the right side (starboard) I can see the spacer between the rack bracket and the back of the foot peg bracket... Hope that helps.

 

[moto]

Also please confirm which side the longer spacer goes on. I could probably make it go on either side.

I checked mine. I see one spacer on the right (starboard) side and a long one on the left (port). The longer one seems to be about an inch, twice as long as the shorter one.

I installed my rack some time ago, and didn't have any fitting problems.

By the way, my experience differed from Pete Roper's. He found his Termignoni interfered with his saddlebag, while mine barely kisses the bag. I have no idea what his spacer fitment was, but this suddenly seems like it could be the answer.

Mine is a 2007, G1100, but I'm essentially sure the racks and brackets are the same.

 

[contractor20]

:idea: Is it possible everyone is talking about the same rack kit as both Pete ropers and Moto are talking about the soft bag kit and I had assumed Kiwijohn was talking about the hard bag kit from Hepco-Becker if not carry on

 

[kiwijohn]

Thanks all.

I am fitting the MG soft luggage rack.

 

[kiwijohn]

So I am putting the longer spacer on the muffler side. I have ordered longer bolts as the one that came is too short to accommodate the spacer and muffler. Looks like a need a 75-80mm bolt. It is difficult to line up and get in with the hugger.

 

[wittangamo]

Eureka! solved the problem with muffler clearance.

I did this install yesterday, and it is frustrating with no instructions.

The right side worked fine with the single included metal spacer.

The left or muffler side uses the existing spacer that went between the footpeg and muffler bracket.

I'd replaced the stock muffler with a Mistral, and the bottom seam on the left bag just touched the top of it. I was afraid that when loaded it would be a problem.

After sleeping on it, I removed the left bracket and reinstalled with the leg of the pannier mount INSIDE the spacer next to the footpeg bracket. It was a bitch to get all three bolts started because the holes didn't line up unless there was a fair amount of pressure to spring the mount. I had to use one of the original bobbin bolts on the last one to give me some extra length, but it had the advantage of pulling the mount into alignment with the cone-shaped head.

The result was that the mount was pushed slightly away from the bike and the bag now clears the muffler by about an inch.

It was a pain to get it right by trial and error, and I hope this can save someone else wasted effort.